1996-01-12                     House Journal                      Page 2428
HB 413                                                                       
An Act making appropriations for the operating expenses of the                
states integrated comprehensive mental health program; and                     
providing for an effective date.                                               
                                                                               
was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee.                 
                                                                               
                                                                               
The Governors transmittal letter, dated January 12, 1996, appears              
below:                                                                         
                                                                               
Dear Speaker Phillips:                                                         
                                                                               
Under the authority of art. III, sec. 18, of the Alaska Constitution, and      
in accordance with AS 37.14.003, I am transmitting a separate                  
appropriation bill limited to appropriations for the state's integrated        
comprehensive mental health program.  In accordance with AS                    
37.14.003(b), an accompanying report explains the differences between          
the appropriation bill and the recommendations made by the Alaska              
Mental Health Trust Authority for expenditures from the general fund           
for the state's integrated comprehensive mental health program.                
                                                                               
The statutory requirement that appropriations for the state's mental           
health program be made by a separate appropriation bill was enacted            
as part of the settlement of the mental health trust litigation, Weiss v.     
State, 4FA-82-2208 Civil.  The separate focus on appropriations from          
the general fund for the state's integrated comprehensive mental health        
program will improve the state's ability to meet the special needs of          
Alaskans who use any part of the program.                                      
                                                                               
I urge your prompt action on this legislation.                                 
                                                                               
						Sincerely,                                                               
						/s/                                                                      
						Tony Knowles                                                             
						Governor                                                                 
                                                                               
                                                                               
HB 414                                                                       
HOUSE BILL NO. 414 by Representative Green, entitled: